Five years after becoming dean of Rice University’s School of Social Sciences, Rachel Kimbro has been reappointed following a term marked by expanded research investment, new academic programs and increased opportunities for students.
Kimbro, a Rice alumna and longtime member of the university community, will begin a second term after helping guide the school through a period of growth aligned with the university’s strategic priorities in research, teaching and student experience.
“Rachel has been an excellent partner leading the school and its significant role in advancing our Momentous research goals to build thriving urban communities, lead health innovations and generate sustainable futures, in addition to advancing premier teaching,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
Kimbro’s first term focused on building capacity across the School of Social Sciences through faculty growth, expanded research support and investments in student opportunities.
The school strengthened support for research by creating its first associate dean for research position and increasing internal funding opportunities for faculty and graduate students. During that time, faculty recognition through National Science Foundation CAREER awards also increased, and the school helped support universitywide interdisciplinary initiatives including the Institute of Health Resilience and Innovation and the Rice Brain Institute.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as dean of the School of Social Sciences these past five years,” said Kimbro. “I look forward to continuing the work with our incredible faculty and staff to solidify our place as an exemplar institution for social sciences research and education."
Academic offerings also expanded during Kimbro’s tenure. New programs launched during her first term include an undergraduate major in sport analytics, a master’s degree in computational economics and an undergraduate major in global affairs developed in collaboration with the School of Humanities and Arts. The school also graduated its largest class of master’s students to date.
Experiential learning opportunities for students grew through expanded professional practicums and immersive academic experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world engagement. Programs such as Journey Towards Justice give students opportunities to engage more deeply with complex social issues through firsthand experiences beyond campus.
In addition to academics and research, the school also invested in staff growth and strengthened engagement with alumni and supporters to position the school for continued impact.
“Rachel’s leadership has helped position the School of Social Sciences and its community for continued growth in the years ahead,” Dittmar said.